Can opener with pivoted lever members



y 27, 1958 H. D.-MUNDAY 2,835,968

CAN OPENER WITH PIVOTED LEVER MEMBERS Filed April 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /77 van for Horace 0. Munday May 1953 H. D. MUNDAY 2,835,968

CAN OPENER wma PIVOTED LEVER MEMBERS Filed April 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 h? verz for Horace 0.- Munday United States Patent '0 2,835,968 CAN OPENER WITH PIVOTED LEVER MEMBERS Horace D. Munday, Schenectady, N. Y.

Application April 7, 1955, Serial No. 4%,919

4 Claims. (Cl. 303) This application relates to openers which can be utilized to open substantially all forms of containers. More specifically, this invention relates to openers for vacuum-sealed jars, milk bottles, beverage bottles, beverage cans, and cans in general use and is related to my copending application Serial No. 398,331, filed December 15, 1953, now Patent No. 2,711,579.

Openers may be considered to include types which may be classified in two general categories, the leveraction type and the rotary gear type. The conventional lever-action type opener generally leaves a ragged edge on both can and lid and frequently fails to open properly small cans, since small cans may have too short a radius of curvature. The resulting ragged edge on both can and lid is inherently hazardous; however, the leveraction opener is still widely used since it is cheap, simple, portable and requires no wall mounting. The lever action container opener is easy to clean by holding it under a faucet and, in addition, it will open any kind of closed container, including containers having no head or lip, which is not true of the rotary type can opener.

The rotary gear type of can opener depends upon a head on the edge of a can to provide the purchase against which a roughened wheel may be turned in order to drive the cutting edge of the container opener around the inner portion of the bead. The use of this "ice is coupled to the lever member in the vicinity of the blade.-

Other objects and important aspects of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and claims when taken with the figures of the drawing in embodiment of this invention; and Figures 7 through 13,

inclusive, illustrate other features and embodiments of 7 this invention.

type of opener is limited to those containers having a bead.

In addition to providing a simple lever-action opener which leaves a smooth turned down edge, it is particularly desirable to incorporate separating type opener means for opening containers such as those containers having press-fit caps such as on vacuum sealed jars or the crimped caps used on bottles. Thus, substantially all container opening operations, such as occur in the kitchen, may be carried out with a single implement.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved opener.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved opener including provisions for cutting open containers or separating press-fit type covers from the main body of the container and having means for limiting the depth of penetration of a cutting blade.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved lever action type opener that turns down the cut edge of a container to provide a smooth edge portion on the container independent of cooperation with any bead member on the container.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an opener incorporating a unitary knife blade and separatingtype opener.

According to an aspect of this invention an opener is provided which is comprised of a lever member including a handle portion and a blade for penetrating and entering a container when pressure is applied to the 'handle' portion. Means independent of bead cooperation,

operatively opposing the'blade, provide a fulcrum for the lever. In addition, separating type opening means Lever action openers presently known in the art may be classified as either first or second class levers. In the first class lever type the fulcrum is between the source of power and the resistance and the handle must bepressed downward to lift the knife to make its upward: cutting stroke. In the second class lever type the knife is in the middle and therefore between the fulcrum and the source of power so that the handle must be raised to lift the knife to make its upward cutting stroke. In each of these instances a jagged-edged cut results with attendant hazards to the operators hands and fingers.

According to this invention the knife blade is in the middle between the fulcrum and the source of power. The handle is pressed downward, with the knife blade held against the inside of the can by a fulcrum member, to move the knife in a downward cutting stroke which turns down the outer edge of the out against the inside of the container and thereby results in a smooth edge which is not sharp or hazardous. Incorporated as an integral portion of the lever and/or knife blade is a separating type opener for removing press-fit or crimp type covers from containers. This opener may be formed in accordance with this invention so that the press-fit type cover is removed by a lifting action on the lever or alternatively by a downward pressing action on the lever.

For example, an opener may consist of a lever member including a handle portion and a blade for penetrating and entering a container when pressure is applied to the handle. A second member is coupled to the lever member so as to oppose the blade portion of the lever and provide a fulcrum for the lever. When the blade is inserted into the container, the opposing member contacts the outside of the can and holds the blade snug against the inside of the container thereby providing a fulcrum and resulting in a smooth turned down'edge on the can as the blade is caused to move around the periphery of the container top by exerting a downward pressure on the blade.-

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention wherein there are provided lever members 2i and 21 which are pivotally joined by pivot member 22'. Sheet metal blade 23 is pierced by pivot member 22 and is secured to lever member 2'). A fulcrum is provided by threaded member 24 having an adjusting nut 25 secured to one end thereof to control the amount of the fulcrum member projecting beyond threaded boss 26 which forms the lower portion of lever arm 21. A hardened spur 27 is secured to the end of the fulcrum member and the penetration of this spur into the side of a container is limited by threaded adjustable shoulder member 23. The blade member 23 is provided with a knife blade portion 23' which extends substantially parallel to the axis of pivot 22, and the longitudinal axis of e 7 possible.

34maintains thelever members 21 and 2G in a normally open'position and is retained in'holes'35 and 36 in lever members 2 and 21 respectively. Lever member 26 is 'providedwith ap ortion 29a which provides a bearing surface'for' the-hand to force'theknife blade 23 through the cover of a container. 1 The end-of por'tidn'i-ila is provided with a notched spade shaped portionfiT'which' may *be'utilized to'remove container covers and/ours lease press-fit type-covers QS 'W-illi subsequently de scribed.

Lever member 2% is provided with a separating type opening member SSjwhich may be utilized to open,;for

example, press-"fit type jaicovers or conventional crimped caps. Figure illustrates another feature-of blade memf ber 23 which is a penetration limiting projection 39 which turn the severed portion of the containerflid -slightly downward and inwardly thereby. minimizing any. haz rd to an operator of cutting a finger or hand on the container lid. in addition, the projection provides. a wider gash between the severed top and the side of the can, thereby minimizing any tendency of the knifeblade to jam.

Opener portion 331s particularly useful for opening I press-fit type caps wherein no. bearing shoulder is proprevents the blade from penetrating' too .far intdand through a container cover so as-to become jammed. The

7 plane of the lower edge of'this projection is at an' ang'le somewhat greater than a right angle, for-eirample ap proximately 105, with'respectto the plane of the knife blade portion 23". As will be subsequently described, this aids in obtaining asinoothly "crimpededge' on the can anda turneddown'edge on the cancoyer. V

' For example, the knife member 23 can be formed from a tool steel sheet approximately 50-milsthick which is annealed drilled, bent nto the desired form and then hardened and tempered." Member 23 is then spot welded or otherwise secured to lever member 29 with the neces- V blade 23' near the edge of the container thereby protect--- ing spur 27;" Aniattemptto insert the blade too far "inward from the edge of the container results in opener 33 striking the of the container before spur 27 reaches the rim. Theilimit screw 369 prevents damage to the knife blade 23 and also limits the tendency of spur 27 topuncturethe side of a container; In addition, this I limit screw avoids any possibility that 'fulcrum members 24 might bend the knife blade 23' beyond its elasticlimit.

sary hole positioned to receive the pivot member 22 and that illustratedin'Figtires 1 through ,3 in that it-consists,

In order to open a sealed container suchas a can,'the

opener is positioned above. the can with the knife blade portion 23' just inside the edge of the container cover. Pressure is applied to portion 2-34 of the handle so 'as'to cause the blade portion 23 to penetrate ithe top. of contaiaer 41 and to travel through the top until stopped by depth limit 39 (see Figures 1, land 3). Lever members 253 and 21' are then forced together, as illustrated in Figure 2, so that a fulcrum point'is established by spur 27 against the outside of can 41 and against the knife blade 23' on the inside of the can.

The opener is then moved downwardly along the edge i of the can to position B so that thesharpened curved surface of knife blade portion 23 cuts the edge of. the

can and forms a smooth turned down edge against the: inside of the can, The lever members are then raised "to a vertical, or even backward-inclined position A, and

the knife portion 23 is advanced in the cut-as far. as The cuttingoperation is then repeated until the lid is completely severed or, if desired, until onlya small portion of the lid remains uncut toserve as-a.

hinge on which the lid can be turned backward;

The projection 39 makes the cutting stroke substantially constant each time and prevents any likelihood of the opener becoming jammed with the turned down top portion and the side of the can jammedin slot 29. The

angle of slightly more than Qildegrees between the projectiondi and the plane of the knife blade 23 tends to vided beneath the press-fit cap and is utilized in a well known manner'by placing tip portion 380 under the edge of the cap and pressingdownwardly on both of the lever members 26 and 2 Any tendency of the liquid to rush out ofthejcontainer and strike theperson utilizing the opener is substantially ehrninatedsince the container is openedso that any liquid is directed away from the;

operator.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of this 1 invention wherein like parts are designated by the same reference fnumerals, and 'wherein the "separationi'type' opener .is formed from the'same piece of sheet metal as is the "knife bladet Thus,lopener member 4 2..having a hook portion i4-2a is formed from the same piece of sheet metal 23. having sharpened'knife blade portion 23C; An opener'forined in this fashion is operated inihe' same manner as has been described in connection withiEiguies 1 through 3 inclusive. It, has the added advantage iof easy fabrication in that the knife blade portionandbpene portion can be easily' and conveniently iormed frornaa single piece of metal. 1

Figures 7 and 8 illustratestill. another embodiment of this invention wherein likep'ortions are designatedby" the same reference. numerals; The fulcrum member in the embodiment of Figure 7 is considerably simplerthan of a single 'nietalmember 43 havinga shoulder-portion rid-and a sharpened spur portion 45. Fulcrum member 43 is press-fitted into'lever arm 21 which is rolledover ates .to retain the fulcrummember Blade portion 47 is provided with a hole dSihrough whichpivotmernber 22passes and is'provided. with a knifebladeportion 49 having a sharpened edge49aand is further providedwith a lift type separating opener member;50having ;a 7 portion 51for engaging and opening; for example, .pressfit and crimp type 'coversgparticularly those with no epposing shoulder. w Y

The operation of this opener is suhstantially the'siflll e V as-that describedlin connection with the opejration of the opener illustrated in Figures 1 through4, inclusive, except that Lhe separation type opener .for press-fit type covers isoperated by. placingilip. portion 51 underneath the edge 7 p of a press-fit cover and causing [thebajck portion of lever 20 to bear against the topofth'e press-fit cover; Lever member 29 is then lifted upWard toremove the cover. 7

This form of opener provides a; verysimple and'easily fabricated opener. in that blade portion 147 can be ea ily.

stamped out of a single piece of sheet metal and then appropriately. secured to the lever rnember'ol al im tively, the lever'rnember and blade portioncan be formed from a single piece of sheet metal.

tion in which parts similarm those illustrated in other ifiguresof the drawing are designated by like reference numerals and wherein, in order .to provide easy and coni- Qfortable operation, awooden handle 52 is providedins'tead of lever memberQZLS Wooden hahdl 52 is retained on pin 53 to whichseparationl type openerm'ember, 54 is secured or alternatively, asin this example, opener: 54

'is formed from the same piece of metalas pin 53. 1

The partially sectionalized view in FigureglQ qfl 'the drawing illustrates this construction .in. greater detail and "Figure 11 shows a form'of'knifefblade nrember 55 which isprovided.with holes 56 and sflsth'rol gh Which securing means such asrivets may penetrate to secure theiblade to lever member 29. .Blade member 55 is' provided with r I a sharpened knife blade-portion SSand a'hole 5,9 through Figurc 9 illustrates another embodimentof thisinvenwhich pivot 22 passes. It is noted that the fulcrum member mounting 69 is formed from the same metal that forms the pin 53 and opener 54 by bending up portions of sheet metal pin 53 so that fulcrum member 24 can be mounted therethrough. Alternatively a threaded boss can be spot welded to pin 53 to receive member 24.

The operation of this opener is substantially the same as the operation of the opener illustrated in Figures 1 through 3; however, a simplifying constructional feature should be noted in that substituted for the limit screw 30 is a projection 61 on pin member 53 which bears against surface 62 of lever member 26 so as to limit the travel of the fulcrum member with respect to the blade member. This results in a very simple and economical opener construction particularly suited for mass production. In addition, it is noted that the opener illustrated in Figure 9 is provided with a depth limiting member 39 which renders the length of each cut substantially uniform.

Where there is a shoulder provided between the lower edge of a press fit cover and the body of a container the end portion 37 may be used as illustrated in Figure 12, wherein portion 37 is inserted between press-fit cover 63 and shoulder 64 of container 65. By twisting handle 28a in a rotary fashion, as illustrated by arrow 66, the press lit cover may be released.

In the event the top of a container is pushed downwardly after an opening operation has been completed it can be lifted up to be folded back by inserting the end 37 of lever member a along the side of the can so that the bent down portion of the top engages notches 37a and then lifting the container cover upwardly as illustra in Figure 13.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein shown are merely exemplary and that a Wide variety of openers may incorporate this invention. In particular, it should be noted that the fulcrum member and the limit screw may be formed of a single non-adjustable member such as, for example, from a single metal pin or sheet metal member. In addition, the handle members may be stamped out of sheet metal or formed of any desired plastic material. Alternatively, the blade portion 23 can be molded into a handle member such as plastic in any well known fashion and the entire assembl can be made substantially non-adjustable so as to result in a cheaply and easily fabricated opener.

It can be seen that this opener can be utilized to open all types and varieties of containers. For example, it will open all kinds of cans and leave a smooth edge. It will also open substantially all bottles and jars having, for example, crimp seals and will open press-fit type covers sometimes termed vacuum sealed covers. This opener Works easily, and, unlike previously known openers, does not require any bead cooperation with a container to provide a smooth turned down out edge since it provides its own fulcrum and, further, this opener does not require any wall mounting.

Thus applicant has provided an implement capable of handling substantially all container opening operations and therefore has overcome the necessity of having a plurality of openers available, for example, in the lc'tchen in order to handle everyday container opening operations. In addition, it will be apparent that there are no special folding members, or portions which must be attached and detached, in order to perform the various opening operations, i. e. all portions of this opener are secured to a lever member in order to provide a substantially unitary opener.

While this invention has been described in connection with a limited number of specific embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is subject to a wide variety of modifications and variations. Therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all modifications and variations as coming within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What i intend to claim and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A lever type opener including a pair of lever members pivotally joined intermediate their respective ends to provide handles and jaws, a knife attached to one jaw, a fulcrum member mounted on the other jaw, said knife and fulcrum member pivotally gripping between them a spot on the side of a container when in operative position on the container and pressed together by pressure on the handles, and means coupled to one of said jaws and extending beyond said fulcrum and adjacent said knife.

2. The opener defined by claim 1 wherein said means coupled to one of said jaws is mounted on the jaw having the fulcrum member mounted thereon.

3. The opener defined by claim 1 wherein the means coupled to one of said jaws is formed as a portion of said knife.

4. A lever type opener including a pair of lever members pivotally joined intermediate their respective ends to provide handles and jaws, a knife attached to one jaw, and including a projection to limit the depth of knife enetration in a container, a fulcrum member mounted on the other jaw, said knife and fulcrum member pivotally gripping between them a spot on the side of a container when in operative position on the container and pressed together by pressure on the handles, and means coupled to one of said jaws and extending beyond said fulcrum and adjacent said knife.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 673,014 Broadbooks Apr. 30, 1901 980,861 Blake Jan. 3, 1911 1,080,145 Friederick Dec. 2, 1913 1,329,133 Murmann Jan. 27, 1920 2,388,615 Krag Nov. 6, 1945 2,711,579 Munday June 28, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 488,983 France Aug. 12, 1918 

